Utilities

Utilities

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office welcomes complaints from people who experience a problem with a utility provider (e.g. natural gas company, electric company, etc.). Complaints from members of the public help us to identity potential violations of Minnesota law and new problems occurring in the utilities marketplace. In addition, we can sometimes help people solve problems they are having with utility companies. If you would like to file a complaint about a utility provider with this Office, please submit a completed Consumer Assistance Request Form to:

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates utilities in Minnesota and decides the rates that utilities are allowed to charge and whether a utility can raise rates. For more information or to file a complaint, you may contact the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission as follows:

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission enforces the Cold Weather Rule, which provides for certain protections and responsibilities for homeowners and tenants related to utility shutoffs during the cold weather months in Minnesota (October 15 through April 15). You may find more information about the Cold Weather Rule here.

Propane Gas.

Approximately ten percent of Minnesota households use propane gas as their primary heating fuel. Our brochure regarding propane gas, which includes consumer tips to consider when buying propane gas, is available here. The Minnesota Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Energy both conduct surveys of average propane prices charged by the industry and may be helpful resources for propane gas customers. You may contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Energy as follows:

If you have trouble affording your heating costs, you may be eligible for energy assistance. For more information about eligibility and how to apply for assistance, you may call 1-800-657-3710, or contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce as listed above.

Additional Resources

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office offers the following materials, which are designed to provide more information to Minnesota citizens about utilities: